2008
Tennessee Tech
Golden Eagle Football
Weekly Football Game Notes
Game Number 4 -- Sept. 20, 2008
Golden Eagles face MAC foe Western Michigan
TODAY’S CHECKLIST
✔ Tech and Western Michigan meet on
the gridiron for the first time.
✔ These two schools have one thing in
common -- Gary Darnell served as head
coach of both teams.
✔ Golden Eagle coach Watson Brown
posted his 100th career victory as a head
coach when Tech downed Southeast Missouri last Thursday night (Sept. 11), 29-27,
on a nationally televised game on ESPNU.
✔ Henry Sailes and Justin Kraemer have
earned OVC Player of the Week honors for
their parts in the win at SEMO Thursday.
✔ Taron Ryce tied a school record against
SEMO when he broke up four passes.
✔ Justin Kraemer matched his careerbest with a 51-yard field goal against
SEMO, and also set a new career-high when
he kicked three field goals in the game. He
accounted for 11 points.
✔ Henry Sailes notched his first career
100-yard rushing game, getting 113 yards
and one TD on eight carries. His 63-yard reverse (on a reverse) was chosen as the No. 1
Play on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top Plays.
✔ Lee Sweeney posted his ninth career
200-yard pasing game, throwing for 229
yards at Southeast Missouri.
COMING UP:
✔ The Golden Eagles play their next two
games at home in Tucker Stadium, first hosting Central Methodist on Thursday, Sept. 25,
followed by an Ohio Valley Conference visit
from Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Both starting times are 7 p.m. CDT.
TICKETS AVAILABLE at (931) 372-3940
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (2-1)
at Western Michigan Broncos (2-1)
WALDO STADIUM - KALAMAZOO, MICH. / 6 P.M. (CDT) KICKOFF
Records in 2008: Tennessee Tech 2-1 overall / 1-0 Ohio Valley Conference
Western Michigan 2-1 overall / 1-0 Mid-America Conference
Tech Radio: Golden Eagle Sports Network (Roger Ealey and Dan Hees)
also Free Teamline (Call 1-800-846-4675 - team code 0654)
Web Streaming: Available through OVCsports.TV
Live Stats: Available at WMUBroncos.com
Coaches:
Tennessee Tech - Watson Brown (6-8 TTU - 2nd season / career 100-159-1)
Western Michigan - Bill Cubit (22-17 WMU - 4th season/ career 56-35-1)
Websites:
Tennessee Tech - TTUsports.com
Western Michigan - WMUBroncos.com
Sports Information Contacts:
Tennessee Tech: Rob Schabert (office 931-372-3088 / cell 931-267-1065)
Western Michigan: Mat Kanan (office 269-387-4125)
SETTING THE SCENE -- Tennessee
Tech travels to Michigan to face its
second Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
foe in three weeks when the Golden
Eagles meet the Western Michigan
Broncos of the Mid-America conference...Tech defeated Southeast Missouri 29-27, in a nationally televised
game on Sept. 11...Both teams are 2-1
overall and 1-0 in their conference...Tech
suffered a 51-10 setback at FBS Louisville
on Sept. 6...Runningback Henry Sailes
was named Sunday as the OVC Offensive Player of the Week, while kicker Justin Kramer earned Special Teams Player
of the Week...Tech is picked sixth in the
Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll
...Watson Brown recorded his milestone
100th career coaching victory in Tech’s
latest win...Quarterback Lee Sweeney
needs 23 yards to move up to fourth
all-time in total offense, and he needs
54 through the air to climb to third in
career passing yards.
Tennessee Tech Sports Information Office
Eblen Center / Box 5057
Cookeville, TN 38505
Phone: (931) 372-3088 / Fax: (931) 372-6139
FOLLOWING TECH
IN THE MEDIA
SEVEN ON TV: Seven of Tech’s 12 games
are scheduled for telecast during the
2008 season. Five of Tech’s six home
games will be carried by WCTE-TV in the
mid-state and Metro Nashville. The two
Saturday afternoon games will be taped
for delayed telecast later that night,
while the night games will be shown
live. Tech’s game at Louisville was televised live by WHAS-TV in the Kentuckiana area, and the game at Southeast
Missouri (Sept. 11) was shown nationally
on ESPNU.
WEB STREAMING: All of Tech’s OVC
games, plus the non-conference home
games, may be viewed live on the internet via OVCsports.TV. Check the OVC
website (OVCsports.com) for details on
how to view a single game or subscribe
for the entire season package.
RADIO BROADCASTS: Tennessee Tech
football games are carried live on the
Golden Eagle Sports Network, hosted
by Cookeville Communications. WHUB
(1400 AM) in Cookeville serves as the
network flagship. Coverage begins 15
minutes prior to kickoff. Roger Ealey and
Dan Hees call the action. In addition to
WHUB in Cookeville, network affiliates
include WLIV in Livingston, WTTU in
Cookeville.
FREE TEAMLINE: Listen FREE via phone
or Internet -- fans can listen anywhere
in America to every minute of Tennessee Tech football action during 2008.
Through an arrangement between
Tennessee Tech and Teamline (TRZ), the
broadcasts will be available on both the
Internet and the telephone. Via INTERNET: Fans can listen via the Internet
through a link on the Tech athletics web
site (TTUsports.com). Via TELEPHONE:
To listen via the telephone, call 1-800846-4700. When asked for a team code,
choose 0654.
TTU Sports Information
SID/Football contact: Rob Schabert
Office Phone: 931-372-3088
Cell Phone: 931-267-1065
Office FAX: 931-372-6139
Home Phone: 931-526-ALPO
Email: RSchabert@tntech.edu
QUICK HITS
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK -- Two Golden
Eagle players were selected as the Ohio
Valley Conference Player of the Week for
their roles in Tech’s 29-27 win at Southeast Missouri. Henry Sailes is the OVC
Offensive Player of the Week, while Justin Kraemer is the league’s Special Teams
Player of the Week.
** Sailes had the first 100-yard rushing
game of his career as Tech opened conference play with a big road win at SEMO.
A 5-foot-7 runningback from Palmetto,
Fla., Sailes rushed for 113 yards on only
eight carries (14.1 ypc) and caught six
passes for 51 yards to account for 164
all-purpose yards on the night. One of his
eight rushes included a 63-yard touchdown run on a reverse in which he reversed field and outran the defense; that
play was selected as SportsCenter’s Play
of the Day. One of Sailes six receptions
included a 15-yard play that took the ball
to the two-yard line, where TTU scored
the winning touchdown on the next play.
It was the first Offensive POW award for
Sailes, who was named OVC Newcomer
of the Week once last year as a freshman.
** Kraemer scored 11 of Tennessee Tech’s
29 points, including a career-best three
field goals on three tries. The 5-foot7 kicker from Smyrna, Ga., booted a
career-long 51-yarder just two seconds
before halftime to give his team a threepoint lead. The 51-yard field goal was
the second longest in school history.
Kraemer also connected from 37 and 45
yards on the night and kicked two PAT’s.
It is the first time for Kraemer to receive
the league’s Special Teams Player of the
Week award. A year ago, he was named
OVC Newcomer of the Week twice for the
Golden Eagles.
TOP PLAY -- The 63-yard touchdown run
by Henry Sailes against SEMO not only
made it onto Top Plays on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Friday, it was the No. 1 play.
PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS -- The
Ohio Valley Conference coaches and SIDs
have picked Tech to finish sixth in the
league standings in 2008, in their annual
preseason poll.
SEE THE STREAM VERSION -- The Ohio
Valley Conference will provide web streaming of the Tech game at Western Michigan.
The game can be purchased through
OVCsports.TV.
HIGH-RANKING -- Tech leads the Ohio
Valley Conference in two categories -- rushing defense and fewest sacks against. Tech
is allowing a league-low 132.7 yards per
game on the ground. The Golden Eagles
are ranked second in total defense (345.7
ypg) and second in kickoff returns 25.6
ypc). Tech is third in punting, first in fourth
down conversions and second in quarterback sacks.
** Individually, Henry Sailes ranks first in
the OVC in receptions per game, fourth in
all-purpose yards and eighth in rushing.
Justin Kraemer is first in the league in field
goals per game and field goal percentage,
and third in scoring among kickers.
** Defensively, Corey Reed ranks fourth in
the OVC in tackles per game and Maurice
Smith ranks seventh. Taron Ryce is second
and Corbin Miles is fourth in passes defended.
PRESEASON HONOR -- Senior Maurice
Smith was named to the presason all-OVC
team. Smith was a second-team all-OVC
selection a year ago.
GREAT SAILES MAN -- Sophomore Henry
Sailes currently leads Tech in rushing yards
(141), receptions (20), kickoff return average (32.0), and all-purpose yards (362).
IN THE BACKFIELD -- Tech is looking to
replace its leading rusher from a year ago
(Derek White, 1,270 yards/10 TDs). Tech’s
next three ground gainers are all back,
including Henry Sailes (222 yards last
year), Cass Barnes (202 yards) and Derrian
Waters (160 yards).
RECORDS WATCH -- Junior quarterback
Lee Sweeney ranks among the all-time
leaders in Tech history in a couple of categories in his third season. He is currently
fourth in passing yards with 4,267 yards,
leaving him 54 yards to catch Mike Jones
in third place. He is 1,765 yards behind
all-time leader Robert Craft (6,032). In total
offense, Sweney is fifth with 4,157 yards,
23 yards behind Gary Perdue in fourth
place and 1,600 behind record-holder Craft
continued on next page
OVC Predicted Order of Finish
(Number in parenthesis indicates first-place votes)
1. Jacksonville State (6) ...................... 113
2. Eastern Kentucky (6) ...................... 111
3. Eastern Illinois (6) ............................ 108
4. Tennessee State ..................................84
5. UT Martin ..............................................69
6. Tennessee Tech ..........................55
7. Austin Peay ...........................................50
8. Murray State ........................................36
9. Southeast Missouri ............................22
Preseason All-OVC Team
OFFENSE
QB Allan Holland, Eastern Kentucky Sr.
RB Javarris Williams, Tennessee State Sr.
RB Timmy Holloman, Southeast Missouri Sr.
WR Chris Johnson, Tennessee State Sr.
WR Roren Thomas, UT Martin Jr.
TE DeAngelo Nelson, Murray State Sr.
C Michael Howard, Eastern Kentucky Jr.
OG Chaz Millard, Eastern Illinois Jr.
OG Kevin Bannon, UT Martin Sr.
OT Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State Sr.
OT Cage Major, Austin Peay Sr.
DEFENSE
DL Pierre Walters, Eastern Illinois Sr.
DL Chris Coy, Eastern Kentucky Sr.
DL Ray Williams, UT Martin Sr.
DL Austen Lane, Murray State Jr.
LB Marquise Elston, Jacksonville State Sr.
LB Jared Goodson, Southeast Missouri Jr.
LB Remond Willis, Tennessee State Sr.
DB Brandon Gathof, Eastern Kentucky Sr.
DB Maurice Smith, Tennessee Tech Sr.
DB Rashad Haynes, Eastern Illinois So.
DB Ke’Andre Sams, Eastern Illinois Sr.
DB Zach Denton, Eastern Kentucky Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Gavin Hallford, Jacksonville State Sr.
P Doug Spada, Southeast Missouri Jr.
RS Maurice Dupree, Jacksonville State Sr.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Allan Holland (QB), Eastern Kentucky
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Pierre Walters (DL), Eastern Illinois
Friendly Reminder:
It’s FCS
Just a reminder to refer to the NCAA division
in which the Golden Eagles compete as Division I, FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). Formerly called I-AA, the names have
been changed this season to reflect that Tech
and the Ohio Valley Conference are NCAA
Division I programs which will compete for
the national championship in a post-season
playoff. The other Division I subdivision,
formerly Division I-A is called the Football
Bowl Subdivision (FBS), reflecting the Division
I teams that will not compete for a championship through the playoffs, but are eligible for
post-season Bowl games.
-------THANK YOU
(5,757). Sweeney has thrown 28 career
touchdown passes, inching closer to Craft’s
school record of 38.
DOUBLE DIGITS MR. SMITH -- Maurice
Smith has achieved double figures in total
tackles in eight career games, including
a career-high 14 stops against GardnerWebb in the season opener.
NOT SO SAFE -- The Golden Eagles have
lost their two top strong safeties to injuries
in the first two games. Starter Xavier
Purdy, one of the team’s seven seniors,
suffered a leg injury against Gardner-Webb
and will be out indefinetely. At Louisville,
freshman Caleb Mitchell moved into the
starting role and suffered a knee injury that
has forced him out of action for the entire
year.
MAKING DEBUTS -- A lot of new faces are
making their debuts this season. Of the 22
players listed on the two-deep on defense,
eight (37 percent) are first-year players seeing their first action for the Golden Eagles.
It’s an even higher percentage on offense.
Of the 26 players listed on the two-deep in
the 13 positions, 11 are newcomers for 42
percent.
THE SENIOR CLASS -- The Tech roster features only seven senior players:
Scott Eller, Martini Hilliard, John Ross
Hudson, Derrick Outlaw, Xavier Purdy,
Corey Reed and Maurice Smith.
EXPERIENCE? -- Tech’s seven seniors
have combined to play in 187 career
games. By comparison, last year’s seniors
combined to play in 626 career games,
and nine of last year’s senior class saw
action in at least 40 games.
John Ross Hudson (11+11+11+3) ......... 36
Maurice Smith (11+11+11+3) ................. 36
Xavier Purdy (8+11+11+1) ....................... 31
Martini Hilliard (11+11+4+3) .................. 29
Scott Eller (2+11+11+3) ............................ 27
Derrick Outlaw (11+3) ............................... 14
Corey Reed (11+3)....................................... 14
NOT SHOOTING BLANKS — The Golden
Eagles have not been shut out in Watson
Brown’s career as head coach, scoring
in all 14 games. The fewest points was
three against Auburn last year. The last
time Tech was blanked was in a 44-0 loss
to Middle Tennessee State in the third
game of 2006. Tech has gone 22 straight
games without being shut out.
THE SERIES:
Tech and Western Michigan meet for
the first time.
✔ Tech is 1-20 all-time against current MAC schools, although some
of the games were played when the
opponents were not in the MAC.
Tech vs MAC schools:
Akron
0-6
Ball State
0-0
Bowling Green State 0-1
Buffalo
0-0
Central Michigan
0-0
Eastern Michigan
0-0
Kent State
0-0
Marshall
1-6
Miami (Ohio)
0-1
Northern Illinois
0-2
Ohio
0-3
Temple
0-0
Toledo
0-0
Western Michigan
0-0
TOTALS
1-20
DIRTY DOZEN -- The 12-game schedule facing the Golden Eagles in 2008
marks only the second time that Tennessee Tech will play a dozen regular
games in a season. The previous year
that Tech faced 12 opponents was in
2002, and the Golden Eagles posted a
5-7 record under head coach Mike Hennigan. The only other time that Tech’s
schedule stretched to 12 games was
in the 1972 season, when coach Don
Wade’s team went 10-1 in the regular
season and met Louisiana Tech in postseason play.
TWO NEW OPPONENTS — Tech meets
two opponents in 2008 which the
Golden Eagles have never met before,
-- Western Michigan and Central Methodist. In addition, Tech met Louisville
for the first time in nearly 50 years. The
Golden Eagles and Cards had not met
since the 1961 season.
OLD FAMILIAR FACES — Among this
year’s oppponents, Tech has faced Murray State more often (73 times) than
any other foe. Next is Eastern Kentucky
(64 times) and Austin Peay (42). The
oldest rivalry on this year’s schedule
is against UT Martin, with the first meeting occuring back in 1927. Tech and
Murray State first met in 1930.
HITTING THE HIGHWAYS — The Golden Eagles play six road games in 2008,
continued on next page
KEEPING UP WITH WATSON
Fans will have the chance to hear from
Watson Brown on radio and television
during the 2008 season, including an
invitation to participate on his weekly
call-in radio show.
On the Radio:
The Watson Brown Show presented
by Miller Lite airs each Monday at 6:30
p.m. on WHUB am 1400 in Cookeville.
The 30-minute call-in show is hosted
by Roger Ealey, the radio voice of the
Golden Eagles. Fans are invited to call
in and talk with the Golden Eagle head
coach and ask questions about his team.
The number to call is (931) 526-2133.
On Television:
Each Sunday at 5 p.m., WCTE-TV will air
The Watson Brown Show sponsored
by J&S Construction. WCTE is the PBS
station for the Upper Cumberland.
The 30-minute show will repeat each
Wednesday at 7 p.m. The TV show will
be hosted by Rob Schabert, assistant
athletic director for sports information
and broadcasting.
Brown speaks on OVC
Teleconference each TUESDAY
In addtion to the weekly Watson Brown radio
and television shows, media can also hear
from Tech’s head coach during his weeky
teleconference. The Ohio Valley Conference
will hold a weekly teleconference, featuring
the league's nine head coaches. The call will
begin at 10 a.m. each TUESDAY during the
season, beginning Aug. 26. Each coach will
join the call for approximately seven minutes
at his scheduled time and field questions
from the media about his team's upcoming
game:
Time
10:00 a.m.
10:07 a.m.
10:14 a.m.
10:21 a.m.
10:28 a.m.
10:35 a.m.
10:42 a.m.
10:49 a.m.
10:56 a.m.
Coach
Rick Christophel
Bob Spoo
Jack Crowe
Tony Samuel
James Webster
Watson Brown
Jason Simpson
Matt Griffin
Dean Hood
School
APSU
EIU
JSU
SEMO
TSU
Tech
UTM
MUR
EKU
Please contact the Tech Sports Information Office for
information on how to access the teleconference calls.
facing opponents in four different states.
Tech visits two teams in Kentucky (Louisville and Murray State), two in Tennessee
(Austin Peay and Tennessee State), plus
games in Michigan (Western Michigan)
and Missouri (Southeast Missouri).
WHO’S WHO? — The Golden Eagle roster
includes three pairs of players who share
the same last names. Pairs with the same
surname on the 2008 roster are Calvin
and Maurice Smith, Martini and Justin
Hilliard (none of whom are related), and
brothers Josh and Jonathan Paz.
GRADE A — Two returning Golden Eagles
earned academic honors last season -defensive tackle Bradley Thompson and
offensive lineman Taylor Askew earned
first-team Academic All-District honors,
sponsored by ESPN The Magazine. In
addition, Thompson was named to the
10th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association
Academic All-Star Team.
IT’S MUCH BRIGHTER — If it seems
brighter in Tucker Stadium in 2008, it’s
because new lights were installed in June.
After shining for 42 years on Tech football,
the incandescent lights were replaced
with a high-efficiency metal halide lighting system. The new fixtures are expected
to last three times the life of incandescent
lamps and will bring Tucker Stadium
in line with the NCAA’s “Best Lighting
Practices” for Division I Football national
broadcasts by increasing the stadium
brightness to 125 footcandles.
Notes on
the OFFENSE
NOW FOURTH — Junior quarterback Lee
Sweeney has climbed into fourth place in
career passing yards with 4,267 yards, and
needs just 54 yards to catch Mike Jones
in third place. He’s 367 yards shy of Grant
Swallows in second place. The record of
6,032 by Robert Craft is also within his
grasp during his career -- he needs 1,765
in the next two years to break that standard. To put those numbers in perspective, Sweeney passed for 2,292 yards in 11
games as a freshman and 1,453 yards in
his injury-shortened sophomore season.
ANOTHER 200 -- Lee Sweeney passed
for 229 yards in the win at Southeast Missouri, the ninth time in his career that he
has topped the 200-yard mark. He opened
the year with 199 yards against GardnerWebb, coming within one yard of an-
other for the list. Sweeney topped the
200-yard passing mark in three games
last year, with 302 yards at Eastern
Illinois, 214 against Cumberland, and
367 against Samford. He established
the school single-game record in 2006
against Southeast Missouri when he
passed for 437 yards.
FINDING PAYDIRT -- Lee Sweeney
has thrown 28 TD passes in his first
two-plus seasons. The career record at
Tech is 38, set by Robert Craft. He has
passed for a score in 15 of his 22 career
games, and has thrown for at least two
TDs in 10 games.
LOWERY LOWDOWN -- Backup quarterback Josh Lowery was pressed into
service at Southeast Missouri and led
Tech for the finish of the game-winning scoring drive. Lowery took over
for an injured Lee Sweeney and connected on a couple of passes, setting
up the winning TD. He finished the
game 4-for-5 for 30 yards. This season,
the junior has completed 76.9 percent
of his passes (10-for-13) for 80 yards
and one touchdown. Last season, before being sidelined with a hand injury,
Lowery played in three games including two as the starter. He finished
up a win against Murray State when
Sweeney was injured, then started and
led Tech to a 13-10 win at UT Martin.
He started agianst APSU and had Tech
in command before being injured, and
the Golden Eagles went on to lose the
game. Lowery is 1-1 as Tech’s starter.
QUICK REVIEW OF QB SAGA -- Tech
went through a host of troubles at
the quarterback position in 2007, with
injuries putting three different signalcallers on the sidelines. Eventually,
coach Watson Brown converted wide
receiver Steven Brown to the position.
Lee Sweeney, the OVC Freshman of the
Year in 2006, opened the 2007 season as the starter but suffered a knee
injury early in the Murray State contest
(Sept. 20), and junior transfer Josh
Lowery stepped in. Lowery started the
next two games, but suffered a hand
injury in the game against Austin Peay
(Oct. 6). That put true freshman Cass
Barnes behind center, and he started
the next game (Oct. 11) against Tennessee State. Barnes took a mouth
injury just before halftime, and that
brought Brown into the role for the
continued on next page
Lee Sweeney’s
200-Yard Passing Games (9)
Date Opponent
W/L
9/9/06 Gardner-Webb
L
9/30/06 @ Murray State
W
10/14/06 @Tennessee State L
11/4/06 @ Samford
W
11/17/06 @ SE Missouri
W
8/30/07 @ Eastern Illinois L
9/6/07 Cumberland
W
10/27/07 Samford
L
9/11/08 @ SEMO
W
Yds TD
262 2
251 3
305 3
232 2
437 2
302 2
214 2
367 3
229 0
Henry Sailes’
100-Yard Rushing Games (1)
Date
9/11/08
Opponent W/L Att Yds TD
@ SEMO
W
8 113 1
Henry Sailes’
200-Yard All-Purpose Games (1)
Date
Opponent Rush Rec Ret Tot
10/11/07 Tenn. State 98
20 91 212
Tech’s 100-yard tandems
Tech has had two ball carriers both top
the 100-yard rushing mark in the same
game on eight occcasions, the latest
coming during the 2006 season against
Samford. Here is a listing of the eight
games with two 100-yard ball carriers:
Year .......Opponent ......................Backs
2006............Samford ....................................White, Ash
2005............Samford ....................................Kirnes, Ash
2003............UT Martin .............................White, Ballard
2003............Murray .................................White, Ballard
1997............MTSU .................................. Tillman, Billen
1994............Murray .................................. Penix, Queen
1989............Murray .................................Lowery, Webb
1989............Samford .................... Stewart, Shackelford
1985............Youngstown ......................Rivers, Hayward
GOLDEN EAGLES IN OVERTIME
The Golden Eagles are 8-5 in games that
reached extra periods:
W - Tech 16, Murray State 13 (1 OT) - 10/1/88
W - Tech 20, Austin Peay 14 (1 OT) - 11/10/90
W - Tech 21, UT Martin 14 (2 OT) - 10/5/96
W - Tech 16, Murray State 13 (1 OT) -11/1/97
W - Tech 31, UT Martin 24 (1 OT) - 10/17/98
W - Tech 31, Eastern Ky. 29 (3OT) - 10/24/98
L - Eastern Ky. 23, Tech 20 (2OT) - 11/13/99
L - UT Martin 30, Tech 23 (1 OT) - 10/4/03
W - Tech 40, Eastern Ill. 37 (2 OT) - 11/6/04
L - SE Missouri 31, Tech 28 (1 OT) - 11/13/04
L - Chattanooga 30, Tech 23 (1 OT) - 9/3/05
W - Tech 20, Murray State 14 (1 OT) - 9/30/06
L - Jax State 17, Tech 10 (1 OT) - 10/28/06
first time. Sweeney started the game at
Jacksonville State but wasn’t able to finish, and Brown played the second half. A
hobbled Sweeney returned to the starting lineup for the final three games.
MULTI-PURPOSE MAN -- Sophomore
Henry Sailes had 171 all-purpose yards
in the opening game against GardnerWebb and 164 all-purpose yards at
Southeast Missouri. Last season he
earned a spot on the OVC All-Freshman
team after ranking third in the league in
kickoff returns with 26.4 yards per try.
He was second on the team in rushing
yards (222) while averaging 10.9 yards
per carry. He was also third in receiving with 20 catches for 119 yards. He
finished with 919 all-purpose yards.
He had a 76-yard touchdown scamper
and a 67-yard return against Auburn.
He accounted for 183 all-purpose yards
against Murray State, then topped that
with 212 all-purpose yards — on only six
plays — against Tennessee State. In that
game, he had 98 yards on three rushing
attempts, caught one pass for 23 yards,
and returned kicks for 45 and 46 yards.
His 71-yard run against TSU was Tech’s
longest run of the 2007 season. In the
first three games this season, Sailes has
357 all-purpose yards, and ranks fourth
in the OVC with 119 yards per game.
Sweeney that led to a field goal late in
the first half and a 22-3 lead. At Louisville, Benford caught seven passes for
62 yards, and he had five catches for 48
yards at SEMO. He ranks third in the OVC
in both receptions per game (5.7) and
yards per game (69.7). He has 17 catches
for 209 yards.
HE’S NUMBER ONE --Sophomore wide
receiver Antonio Robinson underwent
a number change in the off-season, and
will wear No. 1 in 2008. Freshman Tim
Benford will wear No. 9.
FAMILIAR FRONT -- While there is
youth all around them, the Golden Eagle
offensive line returns nearly intact from
last year with four of five starters back
in their same positions. The returning
starters are senior guard Scott Eller,
junior center Peter Taylor, senior guard
Derrick Outlaw and junior tackle Calvin
Smith. Sophomore tackle Taylor Askew
is the fifth starter, after playing a reserve
role a year ago.
STEPPING IN and UP -- Redshirt freshman Scott Schweitzer started at tackle
for Tech at Southeast Missouri, and true
freshman Malcolm Jones played most
of the game at center in place of starter
Peter Taylor, who suffered a first quarter
hand injury.
WITHIN ONE OF RECORD -- The 10
catches by Henry Sailes against GWU is
tied for the second-best single game in
school history, missing the school record
by one catch (the record is 11 catches by
Kenneth Gilstrap against Morehead State
in 1987). Sailes tops Tech and ranks first
in the OVC in receptions per game with
6.7 per game. He has 20 catches for 121
yards.
THE SECOND GROUP -- Tech’s second
group of offensive linemen provided the
Golden Eagles with their only touchdown drive against Louisville. That
group included five freshmen, including
four true freshmen -- Travis Dungee,
Matt Mercy, Malcolm Jones, Brandon
Kluener and redshirt freshman Scott
Schweitzer.
ALREADY THERE -- With 20 catches in
three games, Henry Sailes has matched
his 2007 season total of 20 receptions.
Notes on the DEFENSE
DANDY DEBUT -- Freshman wide
receiver Tim Benford caught five passes
for 99 yards including a touchdown in
his first game as a Golden Eagle. The 99
yards topped Tech in the game against
Gardner-Webb. His first career catch was
a 19-yard gain for a first down, helping
to keep alive an 80-yard scoring drive
that ended when Benford snagged an
11-yard TD toss in the corner of the end
zone for the first score of the year for
Tech. He also had Tech’s longest reception of the game, slipping behind the
defense to grab a 45-yard pass from Lee
HEY LOOK, A NEW LOOK — The Golden
Eagles converted from a 4-3 defense to
a new look during spring drills, and will
run from a 3-4 setup under new defensive coordinator Billy Taylor.
RUN STOPPERS -- Tech ranked third in
the OVC in rushing defense and fourth in
total defense last year. After three games
this year, Tech is first in the league
against the run (132.7) and second in
total defense (345.7). The Golden Eagles
held their opponents to 147.8 yards per
continued on next page
CAREER LEADERS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Total Offense
Robert Craft (2001-2004)..................... 5,757
Grant Swallows (1998-2001) .............. 4,800
Larry Schreiber (1966-69).................... 4,421
Gary Perdue (1973-76) ......................... 4,180
Lee Sweeney (2006-present) ....... 4,157
Mike Jones (1991-94) ............................ 4,001
Michael Penix (1992-95) ...................... 3,463
Andre Caballero (1996-97).................. 3,196
Tony Costantine (1980-84).................. 3,168
Brent Fisher (1982-86) .......................... 2,995
All-Purpose Yards
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Larry Schreiber 1966-69) ..................... 5,925
Larry Shipp (2004-2007) ...................... 4,938
Michael Penix (1992-95) ...................... 4,055
Nick Solomon (1998-2001) ................. 3,802
Derek White (2003-2007) .................... 3,749
Willie Queen (1991-94) ........................ 3,215
Craig Rolle (1975-78) ............................ 2,878
Gerald Bentley (1992-95) .................... 2,800
Lorenza Rivers (1985-87) ..................... 2,685
Reggie Bazel (1979-82) ........................ 2,683
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Larry Schreiber (1966-69).................... 4,421
Michael Penix (1992-95) ...................... 3,463
Willie Queen (1991-94) ........................ 2,972
Derek White (2003-2007) .................... 2,948
Jason Ballard (2000-2003) ................... 2,315
Reggie Bazel (1979-82) ........................ 1,986
Nick Solomon (1998-2001) ................. 1,932
Cecil Fore (1975-78)............................... 1,850
Jerome Tillman (1997-99).................... 1,781
Lamar Mike (1974-77)........................... 1,721
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Robert Craft (2001-2004)..................... 6,032
Grant Swallows (1998-2001) .............. 4,634
Mike Jones (1991-94) ............................ 4,321
Lee Sweeney (2006-present) ....... 4,267
Tony Costantine (1980-84).................. 3,599
Andre Caballero (1996-97).................. 3,222
Gary Perdue (1973-76) ......................... 3,053
Michael Peeples (1997-00 )................. 2,893
Bert Browne (1988-90) ......................... 2,647
Milt Jenkins (1976-79) .......................... 2,490
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Rushing
Passing
Receptions
Larry Shipp (2004-2007) ..........................195
Walter Hill (1996-99) .................................148
Craig Rolle (1975-78) ................................146
Derek Lee (2000-2003) .............................129
Brent McNeal (2003-06) ...........................111
Gerald Bentley (1992-95) ........................111
7. Jack Kelley (1979-83) ................................103
8. Anton Thomison (2000-2003)................102
9. Tedarrell Scott (1998-2001) ...................... 92
10. Ken Gilstrap (1985-88)................................ 90
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Yards Receiving
Larry Shipp (2004-2007) ...................... 2,950
Craig Rolle (1975-78) ..........................2,8130
Walter Hill (1996 -99) ............................ 2,125
Derek Lee (2000-) ................................... 1,962
Jack Kelley (1979-83) ............................ 1,759
Ken Gilstrap (1985-88).......................... 1,683
Marshall Hale (1988-91) ....................... 1,683
8. Anton Thomison (2000-) ..................... 1,668
9. Brent McNeal (2003-06) ....................... 1,588
10. Gerald Bentley (1992-95) .................... 1,372
game on the ground, and 375.4 yards per
game in total offense in 2007. Tech held
two opponents to less than 100 rushing
yards last year — Concordia had 51 yards
on 43 attempts and Murray State tried 23
times and gained 66 yards. This season,
Tech limited Gardner-Webb to just 45
rushing yards on 34 attempts. It was the
35th time since 1999 that Tech has held
its opponent under 100 rushing yards in a
game.
REED MY LIPS - Senior linebacker Corey
Reed posted his fourth career doubledigit game in tackles, making 12 stops
at Southeast Missouri. He also opened
the year with 12 tackles against GardnerWebb. His career-high is 15 stops last year
against Tennessee State. At Louisville,
Reed led Tech with seven tackles and recovered a fumble. He leads the team and
ranks fourth in the league with 31 tackles
in three games.
CAREER-HIGH FOR SMITH - Senior Maurice Smith chalked up a career-high of 14
tackles in the victory over Gardner-Webb
(Aug. 28), and also knocked down three
pass attempts. It was his eighth career
game with double figure tackles.
For that effort, he was voted the league’s
Defensive Player of the Week for the first
time in his career. After three games this
season, Smith is second on the team with
27 tackles. He’s also second on the team
in passes defended with four.
DO TELL, DONTRELL - Junior Dontrell
Baines made a career-high 13 tackles in
the win over Gardner-Webb (Aug. 28),
including his first career quarterback
sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. He leads the
team with 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and is third
in tackles with 19.
DUST OFF DUSTIN - With injuries to
both Xavier Purdy and Caleb Mitchell,
sophomore Dustin Dillehay is seeing
extended time at strong safety. He made
a career-high six tackles at SEMO.
MILES TO GO - Sophomore Corbin
Miles came into the season with seven
career tackles in 10 games as a freshman
in 2007. In the win over Gardner-Webb
(Aug. 28), the starter at the boundary
cornerback position beat his career total
in one game, making nine stops. He also
broke up two passes. In three starts,
he ranks fifth on the team with 18 total
tackles, and is tied for second with four
passes defended.
AND JAKE, TOO - Junior linebacker Jake
Kiser has also chalked up a career-high
already this season. He made 12 tackles at VETERANS UP FRONT -- Despite losing
Southeast Missouri, his third double-figure first-team all-OVC tackles John Jackson
game in tackles.
and Geoffrey Woods, Tech’s defensive
front line features several veterans in
CAREER LEADERS - Senior Maurice
2008 anchored by senior Martini HillSmith leads all active Golden Eagles play- iard’s return from an Achilles injury. Also
ers in career tackles:
back are Justin Hilliard (no relation),
Active Player (yr)........ Tackles ... GP
Brendon Fisher and Bradley ThompMaurice Smith (Sr) .................. 235 .....36
son. Newcomers seeing playing time on
Jake Kiser (Jr.) ..............................98 .....25
the line are freshman Travis Adkins and
Taron Ryce (Jr.) ............................92 .....24
redshirt freshman J.R. Richmond.
Martini Hilliard (Sr) ....................91 .....29
Xavier Purdy (Sr.) ........................83 .....31
TARON’S A TERROR -- Junior cornerback
Corey Reed (Sr.) ..........................82 .....14
Taron Ryce tied a school record when
Dontrell Baines (Jr). ...................57 .....20
he broke up four passes at Southeast
Brendon Fisher (Jr.) ...................51 .....22
Missouri. He also had a career-high eight
Bradley Thompson (Jr. ) ...........35 .....22
tackles against the Redhawks. Ryce
Donald Frost (Jr.) ........................31 .....24
had two interceptions at UT Martin last
Kelechi Ordu (So.) ......................31 .....13
season, giving him three for his career.
Billy Bates (Jr.)..............................30 .....24
He had 48 total tackles last season and
a blocked PAT attempt. He led the team
SOME PEOPLE - Senior Maurice Smith
with six passes defended and tied for the
ranked second on the team and third in
team-lead with two interceptions.
the OVC in tackles last season, getting
credit for 102 total stops in 11 games, an
INTRODUCTIONS, PLEASE -- Two true
average of 9.3 per outing. He reached
freshmen filled starting roles at Southeast
double figures in tackles in seven games,
Missouri and played well in their first
with a career-high 13 tackles against
career starts. Kedrick Towles was the
Murray State along with an interception.
starter at an outside linebacker position
TEAM YARDSTICK
TENNESSEE TECH (2-1 / 1-0 OVC)
8/28
Gardner-Webb
W 28-12
9/6
at Louisville
L 51-10
9/11
at Southeast Missouri *
W 29-27
9/20
at Western Michigan
6 p.m.
9/25
Central Methodist
7 p.m.
10/4
Eastern Kentucky *
7 p.m.
10/11
at Murray State *
3 p.m.
10/16
UT Martin *
7 p.m.
10/25
at Austin Peay *
6 p.m.
11/1
at Tennessee State *
4 p.m.
11/8
Jacksonville State *
1:30 p.m.
11/22
Eastern Illinois *
1:30 p.m.
* denotes OVC games
Western Michigan (2-1 / 1-0 MAC)
8/30
at Nebraska
L 35-0
9/6
Northern Illinois
W 29-26
9/13
at Idaho
W 51-28
9/20
Tennessee Tech
6 p.m.
9/27
at Temple
1 p.m.
10/4
Ohio University
1 p.m.
10/11
at Buffalo
2:30 p.m,.
10/18
at Central Michigan
11 a.m.
11/1
Eastern Michigan
1 p.m.
11/8
vs. Illinois
11 a.m.
11/15
Toledo
1 p.m.
11/25
Ball State
5 p.m.
(all times listed above are Central)
Team Stats ..................Tech ........... WMU
Games .................................3 .....................3
Record...............................2-1 .................. 2-1
Total Off ........................... 849 ...............1,150
Rushing......................... 248 ................ 381
Passing .......................... 601 ................769
Scoring .............................67 ................ 104
Total Def. ........................ 1037 ..............1,377
Rushing Def. ................. 398 ................ 401
Passing Def. ................. 639 ................976
Scoring Def. .....................90 ................. 101
First Downs ........................49 ...................61
Rushing............................ 14 ...................19
Passing ............................28 ..................34
Penalty ............................... 7 .................... 8
Kickoff Returns .......... 13/333 .......... 13/325
Avg. ............................. 25.6 ...............25.0
Punt Returns ..................5/24 ...............3/31
Avg. ................................4.8 ............... 10.3
Punting....................... 14/502 .......... 10/394
Avg. ............................. 35.9 ...............39.4
Net Avg. ...................... 35.9 ...............29.3
3rd Down Conv. .......... 12/38 ............ 13/35
Percentage ..................32% ...............37%
4th Down Conv. ..............3/3 ................ 4/8
Percentage ................ 100% ...............50%
Avg. Time of Pos. ........ 30:33 ............ 26:25
Penalties .................... 24/180 ...........16/134
and made two tackles, while Richmond
Tooley started at a corrnerback spot
THAT’S THE WAY, DONTEY -- With just 18
and made three tackles.
seconds to play before halftime and the
game tied at 17-17, true freshman Dontey
NOT SO SORRY, CHARLIE -- CharGay returned a SEMO kickoff 63 yards
lie Seivers moved from tight end to
from his own four-yard line, giving the
linebacker in the spring, and is off to a
Golden Eagles the opportunity to take the
strong start at his new position. At Lou- lead into intermission after Justin Kraeisville, he had five tackles, including a
mer’s 51-yard field goal.
quarterback sack, causing a fumble. He
has nine tackles in his first two games
CAN IT CONTINUE -- Tech returned a
and leads the team with two sacks.
kickoff for a touchdown in four games last
season, including one by true freshman
Henry Sailes. He returned a kickoff 76
yards for a touchdown on Tech’s first possession of the second half against Murray
State (Sept.20). Senior Larry Shipp had
three kick returns for touchdowns.
‘MMM GOOD STUFF – Freshman
Tech’s Kickoff Return TDs since 1960
punter Nick Campbell only kicked
Player
Year
Opponent
Yds
twice at SEMO, but he managed 44.5
Larry Shipp
2007 Samford
88
yards in the two kicks, including a cruHenry Sailes
2007 Murray State
76
cial 49-yard kick late in the game that
Larry Shipp
2007 Concordia
97
pinned the Redhawks deep in their own Larry Shipp
2007 Cumberland
87
territory. Campbell has now punted 11 Lorenza Rivers
1987 Youngstown
99
1982 NE Missouri
83
times, and has avaeraged 37.1 yards per Billy Blaylock
Mike Vise
1977 UN-Omaha
90
kick.
Notes on the
SPECIAL TEAMS
A GOOD START – Sophomore Justin
Kraemer is 6-for-7 in field goals, making
all three of his kicks at Southeast Missouri on his way to receiving OVC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In
addition to his career-long 51-yard field
goal just before halftime, he also kicked
field goals from 37 and 45 yards, and
accounted for 11 points in the win.
RECORD TOE – As a true freshman,
Justin Kraemer set a school record
in 2007 with 75 points, the most by a
Golden Eagle kicker. He was 39-for-41
on his PATs and 12-for-15 on field goals.
He also averaged 40.3 yards in 42 punts.
Against Murray State, he had a careerlong 51-yard FG. Kraemer was named
the OVC co-Newcomer of the Week
following the Cumberland game.
FIRST BLOCKED KICK -- True freshman
Travis Adkins pushed through the
middle of the Louiville line to block the
Cards’ first PAT attempt. Tech blocked
five kicks last season — two by John
Jackson against Concordia College
(Sept. 13), and one each by Maurice
Smith, Taron Ryce and Adonis Sharpe.
Ryce blocked a PAT against Austin Peay.
Smith blocked a punt against Tennessee State that led to a Golden Eagle
touchdown, and Sharpe blocked a punt
against Jacksonville State that also led
to a TTU touchdown.
Lamar Mike
Lamar Mike
Dickie Fulton
Larry Schreiber
Jim Schaeffer
1977
1976
1973
1967
1961
East Tennessee
93
East Tennessee
96
East Tennessee 100
Middle Tenn.
90
Eastern Kentucky 95
OVC Largest Crowds
* denotes OVC game
85,754 Tennessee Tech at Auburn
11/3/07
77,527 Murray State at Wisconsin
9/4/1998
72,453 Southeast Missouri at Arkansas
10/14/2006
66,512 Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky
9/1/2007
63,306 Murray State at Kentucky
9/6/2003
59,303 Murray State at BYU
9/26/1998
57,776 Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky
1998
56,990 Tennessee State vs. FAMU (Atlanta)
9/29/2007
56,747 Eastern Kentucky at N.C. State
2005
52,630 Eastern Illinois at BYU
9/10/2005
52,504 Eastern Illinois at Purdue
9/8/2007
50,879 Tennessee State vs. Jackson St. (Mem.) 9/8/2007
50,074 Murray State at Missouri
9/2/2006
15 Largest Tech
Road Crowds
Attendance (Year, Site, Result)
1) 85,754 (2007, at Auburn, 35-3, L)
2) 41,132 (1999, at Tenn. State, 19-25, L)
3) 40,155 (2002, at Iowa State, 58-6, L)
4) 38,694 (2008, at Louisville, 52-10 L)
5) 32,000 (1984, at Kansas State, 28-12 L)
6) 29,702 (1988, at East Carolina, 52-13 L)
7) 28,525 (2001, at Air Force, 42-0 L)
8) 26,123 (2005, at No. Illinois, 42-3 L)
9) 26,101 (2003, at Memphis, 40-10 L)
10) 26,000 (1951, at Kentucky, 72-13 L)
11) 25,546 (2004, at South Florida, 21-7 L)
12) 24,177 (1994, at Marshall, 24-10 L)
13) 23,743 (1995, at Marshall, 45-14 L)
14) 22,123 (1985, at UN-Las Vegas, 35-7 L)
15) 21,326 (2000, at Ohio University, 52-14 L)
Tech’s First Possession / Results
Opponent........................ First Half................................................................................................ Second Half
Gardner-Webb....................... Punt (3 plays/minus 9 yards).....................................................................................Intereception (8 plays/20 yards)
Louisville.................................. Punt (4 plays/minus 9 yards).....................................................................................Punt (3 plays/2 yards)
Southeast Missouri.............. Touchdown (10 plays/70 yards)...............................................................................Field Goal (9 plays/52 yards)
Western Michigan
Central Methodist
Eastern Kentucky
Murray State
UT Martin
Austin Peay
Tennessee State
Jacksonville State
Eastern Illinois
NOWHERE TO RUN
Since 1999, the Tech defense has held 35 opponents under 100 rushing yards, including Gardner-Webb so far this year:
2008 Season (1)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Gardner-Webb..........................34................45
2007 Season (2)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Concordia...................................43................51
Murray State..............................23................66
2006 Season (3)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Samford......................................20................89
Jacksonville State....................40................67
Murray State..............................34................59
2005 Season (4)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Lambuth.....................................46................73
Eastern Kentucky.....................27................91
Samford......................................28................71
Southeast Missouri.................28................53
2004 Season (4)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
VMI................................................31................95
UT Martin....................................26................50
Samford......................................24................38
Southeast Missouri.................31................93
2003 Season (2)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Murray State..............................32................77
Southeast Missouri.................36................79
2002 Season (5)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
UT Chattanooga.......................32................67
Valparaiso...................................35................46
Southeast Missouri.................30................89
Tennessee State.......................34................93
UT Martin....................................33................98
2000 Season (4)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Harding University..................37................77
Eastern Kentucky.....................30................55
UT Martin....................................27................48
Southeast Missouri.................27................74
2001 Season (4)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Fayetteville State.....................17................33
West Virginia Tech...................23................45
Southeast Missouri.................37................90
Tennessee State.......................29................92
1999 Season (6)
Opponent..........................Att........... Yds
Bowling Green..........................43................97
Liberty University....................33................45
UT Martin....................................28................55
Southeast Missouri.................34................71
Eastern Illinois...........................37................60
Murray State..............................33................97
2008 Game-by-Game Starters
OFFENSE
Receiver
Gardner-Webb
C. Allen
Louisville
C. Allen
Southeast Missouri C. Allen
Western Michigan
Central Methodist
Eastern Kentucky
Murray State
UT Martin
Austin Peay
Tennessee State
Jacksonville State
Eastern Illinois
DEFENSE
L. Tackle
T. Askew
T. Askew
T. Askew
L. Guard
S. Eller
S. Eller
S. Eller
Center
P. Taylor
P. Taylor
P. Taylor
R. Guard
D. Outlaw
D. Outlaw
D. Outlaw
R.Tackle
C. Smith
C. Smith
S. Schweitzer
Bear (DE) Anchor (NG) Rock (DE Ram (OLB) Renegade (ILB) Bull (ILB
Gardner-Webb
B. Fisher
J. Hilliard
B. Thompson C. Seivers
J. Kiser
C. Reed
Louisville
B. Fisher
J. Hilliard
B. Thompson C. Seivers
J. Kiser
C. Reed
Southeast Missouri B. Fisher
J. Hilliard
B. Thompson C. Seivers
J. Kiser
C. Reed
Western Michigan
Central Methodist
Eastern Kentucky
Murray State
UT Martin
Austin Peay
Tennessee State
Jacksonville State
Eastern Illinois
Quarterback Tailback (A) Runningback (B)
L. Sweeney
H. Sailes
D. Waters
L. Sweeney
H. Sailes
D. Waters
L. Sweeney
H. Sailes
D. Waters
Bandit (OLB) Field CB
D. Baines
T. Ryce
D. Baines
T. Ryce
K Towles
R. Tooley
Receiver
C. Barnes
T. Benford
T. Benford
Receiver
A. Robinson
A. Robinson
A. Robinson
Free Safety Strong Safety Bound. CB
M. Smith
X. Purdy
C. Miles
M. Smith
C. Mitchell
C. Miles
M. Smith
T. Ryce
C. Miles
Head Coach
Watson
BROWN
❖ Second season as head coach
at Tennessee Tech
(named December 9, 2006)
❖ 36th season in college coaching
❖ 24th season as head coach
W
Watson Brown’s
Career Head Coaching
Won-Loss Record
atson Brown came home to Cookeville last year, and his first season at
Tennessee Tech was a whirlwind of
excitement marked by a resurgence in
support for Golden Eagle football.
Brown had the Golden Eagles soaring
early in the season, winning four in a
row. His high-scoring squad was 4-1
and was gaining some looks by the
national poll voters, but fate stepped
in and dealt the team injuries to not
one, not two, but three quarterbacks in
three weeks.
The veteran coach took those
difficulties in stride, and his even-tempered approach to the balance of the
year proved to be a good lesson for his
young staff and players. The campaign
only served to bolster their experience,
and they’re ready to go back on the attack.
He heads into his second season
at the Tech helm in 2008, his 36th season of coaching overall.
Brown, 58, was named in December 2006 as the new head football
coach of the Tennessee Tech University Golden Eagles. He returned to his
hometown as the 10th head football
coach in Tech history.
“We’re excited to be coming back
to Cookeville,” Brown said at the packed
press conference. “This is a great opportunity to make a quick move and really
improve the Golden Eagle football
program to the point where we can win
conference championships and make a
run at a national championship.”
Brown left his position as head
coach at UAB after 12 seasons. Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics, echoed
the excitement voiced by Brown about
the future of TTU football.
“We are excited to attract a coach
with the head coaching experience that
Watson Brown has,” Wilson said. “We
look forward to him leading our team to
Ohio Valley Conference championships
and regional and national prominence.”
Brown has previously coached
at two schools that are members of the
Ohio Valley Conference, serving as head
coach at Austin Peay for two years and
assistant coach at Jacksonville State,
then a Division II program, for two years.
“Cookeville is home. It’s where my
wife and I are from, and it’s neat to have
that as part of this decision, too,” Brown
said.
“The decision to make a change is
always difficult, especially when you’ve
spent 12 years building a program from
scratch,” Brown said, “Mark (Wilson) had
a lot to do with it. I felt comfortable with
continued on next page
1979
1980
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Austin Peay
Austin Peay
Cincinnati
Rice
Rice
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
UAB
Tech
Tech
23 seasons
7-4
7-4
4-6-1
1-10
3-8
1-10
4-7
3-8
1-10
1-10
5-6
5-6
5-6
4-7
5-6
7-4
6-5
5-7
5-7
7-5
5-6
3-9
4-7
2-1
100-159-1
Head Coach Watson Brown
him, and I really respect his attitude and
what he wants to accomplish.”
Brown returned to the town where
he was a talented baseball, football and
basketball player at Cookeville High
School. He signed with Vanderbilt out of
high school and was a standout quarterback for the Commodores from 1969-72.
He is best remembered by many Commodore fans for leading Vandy to a 14-10
victory over Alabama in 1969. Brown was
named the Sports Illustrated National
Back of the Week for his efforts.
“Watson Brown is a man of high
character, a focused recruiter, and an
exceptional football coach,” Wilson said.
“He is focused on both the academic and
athletic success of our student-athletes,
which is the perfect fit for Tennessee
Tech.
“We’re anticipating tremendous
support for coach Brown and the Golden
Eagles in the years to come,” Wilson said.
That support was evident from
Day One, and it carried over through the
2007 season with record season ticket
sales. Tech’s first home game drew the
largest opening day crowd in the 41-year
history of Tucker Stadium.
He has worked hard in his effort
toward rebuilding the Golden Eagles into
Ohio Valley Conference champions and
has had the support of the community
and the Upper Cumberland Region. A
popular speaker, Brown has addressed
numerous clubs and organizations
throughtout the region during his brief
time at Tech.
He has also found success on the
recruiting trail, signing one of the most
promising groups of newcomers in the
program’s history.
Watson Brown career record vs.
Opponent .....................W ......... L
Air Force ................................0 ............ 1
Akron .....................................1 ............ 0
Alabama ................................0 ............ 5
Alabama State ....................0 ............ 1
Arizona ..................................0 ............ 1
Arkansas................................0 ............ 2
Arkansas State ....................2 ............ 1
Army .......................................5 ............ 2
Auburn ..................................0 ............ 5
Austin Peay....................0 .........1
Baylor .....................................2 ............ 2
Central Florida ....................0 ............ 3
Central Methodist .........0 .........0
Chas. Southern ...................2 ............ 0
Chattanooga .......................1 ............ 0
Cincinnati .............................3 ............ 5
Concordia .............................1 ............ 0
Cornell ...................................1 ............ 0
Cumberland ........................1 ............ 0
Duke .......................................1 ............ 2
East Carolina ........................3 ............ 2
Eastern Illinois ..............0 .........1
Eastern Kentucky ..........0 .........3
Florida ....................................1 ............ 2
Florida State ........................0 ............ 3
Gardner-Webb ..............1 .........0
Georgia..................................0 ............ 6
Hawaii ....................................0 ............ 1
Houston ................................4 ............ 3
Jacksonville State ..............4 ............ 2
James Madison ...................2 ............ 0
Kansas....................................0 ............ 3
Kentucky (one tie) .............1 ............ 4
Knoxville College ...............1 ............ 0
Lamar .....................................2 ............ 0
Livingston State .................1 ............ 0
Louisiana-Lafayette...........1 ............ 1
Louisiana-Monroe .............1 ............ 0
Louisiana Tech ....................0 ............ 4
Louisville .......................0 .........5
LSU ..........................................2 ............ 0
Marshall.................................0 ............ 1
Mars Hill ................................1 ............ 0
Maryland ..............................1 ............ 1
Memphis ...............................7 ............ 6
Miami (Fla.)...........................0 ............ 3
Miami (Ohio)........................0 ............ 1
Middle Tennessee ..............4 ............ 1
Miles College .......................1 ............ 0
Mississippi ............................0 ............ 5
Mississippi State.................2 ............ 1
Minnesota ............................0 ............ 1
Missouri.................................0 ............ 1
Montana State ....................1 ............ 0
Morehead State..................1 ............ 1
Murray State..................2 .........1
Nebraska ...............................0 ............ 1
Nichols State .......................1 ............ 0
Northeast Louisiana .........0 ............ 1
North Texas ..........................1 ............ 0
Ohio ........................................1 ............ 0
Oklahoma State .................0 ............ 1
Penn State ............................1 ............ 0
Pittsburgh.............................0 ............ 2
Rice .........................................1 ............ 1
Rutgers ..................................3 ............ 0
Samford.................................0 ............ 1
SMU ........................................0 ............ 4
South Carolina ....................0 ............ 1
South Florida.......................1 ............ 1
Southeast Missouri .......1 .........0
Southern Miss .....................0 ............ 6
SW Louisiana .......................3 ............ 1
Syracuse ................................0 ............ 1
TCU .........................................3 ............ 2
Temple ...................................1 ............ 0
Tennessee.............................0 ............ 7
Tennessee-Martin .........3 .........1
Tennessee State ............0 .........1
Tennessee Tech ..................4 ............ 0
Texas.......................................0 ............ 2
Texas A&M ............................0 ............ 2
Texas Tech ............................1 ............ 0
Troy State..............................2 ............ 2
Tulane ....................................2 ............ 6
UTEP .......................................1 ............ 0
Vanderbilt.............................0 ............ 1
Virginia Tech ........................0 ............ 5
Wake Forest .........................0 ............ 2
Western Kentucky .............2 ............ 3
Western Michigan .........0 .........0
Wofford .................................1 ............ 0
TOTALS (and one tie) . 100 .....159
Career records above reflect
Brown’s wins and losses while
head coach at UAB, Rice, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati , Austin Peay and
Tennessee Tech.
That freshman class, as well as the
coaching staff, will be tested in 2008 as
the Golden Eagles will field one of the
youngest teams in the program’s history.
As he did in shuffling his lineup
when the injuries struck last season,
Brown takes the latest challenge in stride.
The way he looks at it, the profusion of
youth on this year’s team will simply be a
solid foundation for future success.
After all, building programs has
been a calling card for Watson Brown.
The remarkable growth of the UAB
program under Brown’s guidance was a
major factor in UAB’s entry into Conference USA play in 1999. That year for their
C-USA debut, the Blazers recorded a
5-6 overall record against a brutal all I-A
schedule, finishing in a four-way tie for
second place with a 4-2 league record.
Under Brown, UAB was bowleligible three times in seven seasons and
in 2004 attained their previously elusive
first bowl invitation with a trip to Honolulu to play in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl.
A veteran of 35 years in the coaching profession, Brown is known as one of
the best offensive minds in football.
He made his head coaching debut
in 1979 in the Ohio Valley Conference
directing the Austin Peay Governors, and
at age 29, he was one of the youngest
head coaches in the nation. He posted
7-4 records in both 1979 and 1980, twice
being runner-up for Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors.
Brown began his coaching career
as a graduate assistant at Vanderbilt in
1973 and was a full-time assistant coach
for the first time in 1974 as Pat Dye’s
quarterback and receiver coach at East
Carolina. The Pirates were 7-4 in 1974 and
8-3 in 1975, posting victories over several
Atlantic Coast Conference opponents.
Brown was the offensive coordinator at Jacksonville State University
in 1976 and 1977 (at the time JSU was
a Division II program, and currently is a
member of the OVC). During those two
seasons, the Gamecocks finished 7-4
and 11-3, and played for the Division II
national championship in 1977.
Brown was the quarterbacks and
receivers coach at Texas Tech in 1978,
where the Red Raiders posted a 7-4
record in what was supposed to be a
rebuilding year.
While serving as offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt for two seasons
(1981-82), Brown’s offense set 57 school
Head Coach Watson Brown
Personal
THE WATSON BROWN FILE
records and the Commodores posted an
8-3 record and made a Hall of Fame Bowl
appearance (1982).
In 1983, Brown was head coach at
Cincinnati, where he led the Bearcats to
a season-opening 14-3 victory at defending national champion Penn State.
Before coaching at Vanderbilt,
Brown was athletic director and head
football coach at Rice (1984-85). He led
the Owls to two of their best offensive
seasons.
From 1986-90, Brown was the
head coach at Vanderbilt, his alma mater.
In 1991 and 1992, Brown was the offensive coordinator at Mississippi State
under head coach Jackie Sherrill. During
those two seasons, the Bulldogs posted
a 14-10 record, made two bowl appearances and upset three nationally-ranked
opponents.
Prior to going to UAB, Brown was
the offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma (1993-94).
Coaching is a big part of Brown’s
family. His brother Mack Brown is the
head coach at Texas, and won a national
championship with the Longhorns. His
grandfather, Eddie “Jelly” Watson, was a
legendary prep football coach, compiling
a 106-51-13 record at Cookeville High
School.
Brown’s brother Mel resides in
Cooke­ville along with his mother Katherine. Watson Brown is married to the
former Brenda Arnold, and they have
two children; daughter Ginny, who was
a four-year letterwinner at Georgia State
University (1996-00), and a son Steven,
who was a wide receiver/quarterback
for the Golden Eagles in 2007 and joins
his father’s staff in 2008 as a graduate
assistant working with the quarterbacks.
Brown is Tech’s 10th head football
coach since 1922, joining the ranks of
Loyall Duck, Putty Overall, Hooper Eblen,
Star Wood, Wilburn Tucker, Don Wade,
Gary Darnell, Jim Ragland and Mike Hennigan.
Brown’s many achievements as a
student-athlete and later as a coach in
the state of Tennessee have not gone unnoticed. Two years ago he was inducted
into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Date of Birth: April 19, 1950 Age: 58
Place of Birth: Cookeville, Tenn.
Wife: The former Brenda Arnold of Lebanon, Tenn.
Date Married: February 17, 1973
Where he met Brenda: At a softball tournament in 1972;
He was coaching and she was playing for the opponent
Children (2): Ginny and Steven
College Coaching Experience
1973
1974-75
1976-77
1978
1979-80
1981-82
1983
1984-85
1986-90
1990-92
1993-94
1995-06
2007-
Vanderbilt University
East Carolina University
Jacksonville State University
Texas Tech University
Austin Peay
Vanderbilt University
University of Cincinnati
Rice University
Vanderbilt University
Mississippi State University
University of Oklahoma
UAB
Tennessee Tech University
Graduate assistant
Quarterbacks, receivers
Offensive coordinator
Quarterbacks
Head coach
Offensive coordinator
Head coach
Head coach and A.D.
Head coach
Offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
Head coach and A.D
Head coach
College Playing Experience
1969-72 Quarterback and Shortstop at Vanderbilt
College Education
1973
Vanderbilt University
* B.A. - Geology
High School Education
1966-69 Cookeville (Tenn.) High School
Football, Baseball and Basketball
Keeping track of the Golden Eagles’ 2008 Opponents
* denotes Ohio Valley Conference game
Gardner-Webb (2-1)
L 28-12
at Tennessee Tech
W 31-12 Tusculum
W 31-15 at Austin Peay
Sept. 27
Sam Houston State
Oct. 4
at Charleston Southern
Oct. 11
at Georgia Tech
Oct. 18
Presbyterian
Oct. 25
VMI
Nov. 1
at Stony Brook
Nov. 8
Coastal Carolina
Nov. 15
at Liberty
Central Methodist (1-1)
W 20-3
Graceland
L 24-13
at William Jewell
Sept. 20
Evangel
Sept. 25 at Tennessee Tech
Oct. 4
at Missouri Valley
Oct. 11
Mid America Nazarene
Oct. 18
at Avila
Oct. 25
Baker
Nov. 1
at Culver-Stockton
Nov. 8
Lindenwood
Nov. 15
at Benedictine
Austin Peay (0-3)
L 41-6
at North Dakota State
L 34-20
at Georgia Southern
L 31-15
Gardner-Webb
Sept. 20
UT Martin*
Sept. 27
at Eastern Kentucky*
Oct. 4
Murray State*
Oct. 18
at Tennessee State*
Oct. 25
Tennessee Tech*
Nov. 1
at Jacksonville State*
Nov. 15
at Eastern Illinois*
Nov. 22
Southeast Missouri*
Louisville (1-1)
L 27-2
Kentucky
W 51-10 Tennessee Tech
Sept. 17
Kansas State
Sept. 27
Connecticut
Oct. 10
at Memphis
Oct. 18
Middle Tennessee
Oct. 25
South Florida
Nov. 1
at Syracuse
Nov. 8
at Pittsburgh
Nov. 14
Cincinnati
Nov. 22
West Virginia
Dec. 4
at Rutgers
Eastern Kentucky (1-2)
L 40-7
at Cincinnati
L 37-13
Western Kentucky
W 16-8
Morehead State
Sept. 20
at Tennessee State*
Sept. 27
Austin Peay*
Oct. 4
at Tennessee Tech*
Oct. 11
Jacksonville State*
Oct. 25
Eastern Illinois*
Nov. 1
at Southeast Missouri*
Nov. 15
Murray State*
Nov. 22
at UT Martin*
Tennessee State (3-0)
W 34-13 at Alabama A&M
W 34-32 Southern
W 41-18 vs Jackson State
Sept. 20
Eastern Kentucky*
Sept. 27
vs Florida A&M
Oct. 4
at UT Martin*
Oct. 18
Austin Peay*
Oct. 25
at Southeast Missouri*
Nov. 1
Tennessee Tech*
Nov. 8
Eastern Illinois*
Nov. 15
at Jacksonville State*
Nov. 22
at Murray State*
Southeast Missouri (1-2)
W 35-28 Southwest Baptist (OT)
L 52-3
at Missouri
L 29-27
Tennessee Tech*
Sept. 20
Missouri State
Sept. 27
at Indiana State*
Oct. 4
at Jacksonville State*
Oct. 18
at Eastern Illinois*
Oct. 25
Tennessee State*
Nov. 1
Eastern Kentucky*
Nov. 8
at Murray State*
Nov. 15
UT Martin*
Nov. 22
at Austin Peay *
Western Michigan (2-1)
L 47-24
at Nebraska
W 29-26 Northern Illinois
W 51-28 at Idaho
Sept. 20 Tennessee Tech
Sept. 27
at Temple
Oct. 4
Ohio
Oct. 11
at Buffalo
Oct. 18
at Central Michigan
Nov. 1
Eastern Michigan
Nov. 8
vs Illinois
Nov. 15
Toledo
Nov. 25
Ball State
Murray State (1-2)
W 41-17 Lambuth
L 45-3
at Indiana
L 42-23
Illinois State
Sept. 20
at Western Kentucky
Sept. 27
UT Martin*
Oct. 4
at Austin Peay*
Oct. 11
Tennessee Tech*
Oct. 18
at Jacksonville State*
Nov. 1
at Eastern Illinois*
Nov. 8
Southeast Missouri*
Nov. 15
at Eastern Kentucky*
Nov. 22
Tennessee State*
UT Martin (2-1)
L 56-7
at South Florida
W 56-0
Baker
W 87-21 Concordia
Sept. 20
at Austin Peay*
Sept. 27
at Murray State*
Oct. 4
Tennessee State*
Oct. 11
Eastern Illinois*
Oct. 16
at Tennessee Tech*
Oct. 23
Jacksonville State*
Nov. 8
at Auburn
Nov. 15
at Southeast Missouri*
Nov. 22
Eastern Kentucky*
Jacksonville State (1-1)
L 41-14
at Georgia Tech
W 45-18 Alabama A&M
Sept. 20
at UT Chattanooga
Sept. 27
at Eastern Illinois*
Oct. 4
Southeast Missouri*
Oct. 11
at Eastern Kentucky*
Oct. 18
Murray State*
Oct. 23
at UT Martin*
Nov. 1
Austin Peay*
Nov. 8
at Tennessee Tech*
Nov. 15
Tennessee State*
Eastern Illinois (1-2)
L 31-12
at Central Michigan
L 47-21
at Illinois
W 38-3
Indiana State
Sept. 20
at Illinois State
Sept. 27
Jacksonville State*
Oct. 11
at UT Martin*
Oct. 18
Southeast Missouri*
Oct. 25
at Eastern Kentucky*
Nov. 1
Murray State*
Nov. 8
at Tennessee State*
Nov. 15
Austin Peay*
Nov. 22
at Tennessee Tech*
Individual Highs - 2008 season
Rushes ...............................10 .......Henry Sailes vs. Gardner-Webb
..............................................10 .......Derrian Waters vs. Southeast Mo.
Rushing Yards............... 113 .......Henry Sailes vs. Southeast Mo.
Longest Rush ..................63 .......Henry Sailes vs. Southeast Mo.
Rushing Touchdowns..... 2 .......Derrian Waters vs. Southeast Mo.
Pass Attempts .................31 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Gardner-Webb
..............................................31 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Southeast Mo.
Completions ....................22 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Southeast Mo.
TD Passes ............................ 1 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Gardner-Webb
................................................ 1 .......Josh Lowery vs. Louisville
Passing Yards ................ 229 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Southeast Mo.
Longest Pass ....................45 .......Sweeney to Benford vs, GWU
Receptions .......................10 .......Henry Sailes vs. Gardner-Webb
Receiving Yards ..............99 .......Tim Beford vs. Gardner-Webb
Plays/Total Offense .......38 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Gardner-Webb
Yards/Total Offense .... 229 .......Lee Sweeney vs. Southeast Mo.
Receiving TD’s ................... 1 .......Tim Beford vs. Gardner-Webb
................................................ 1 .......Tremaine Hudson vs. Louisville
Field Goals .......................... 3 .......Justin Kraemer vs. Southeast Mo.
Longest FG .......................51 .......Justin Kraemer vs. Southeast Mo.
Longest FG attempt......51 .......Justin Kraemer vs. Southeast Mo.
Most Punts ......................... 9 .......Nick Campbell vs. Louisville
Longest Punt ...................55 .......Nick Campbell vs. Louisville
Most Punting Yards .... 319 .......Nick Campbell vs. Louisville
Long Punt return ...........16 .......Cedric Wilkerson vs. Southeast Mo
Long Kick return.............63 .......Dontey Gay vs. Southeast Mo.
Points Scored ..................12 .......Derrian Waters vs. Southeast Mo.
All-Purpose Yards ........ 171 .......Henry Sailes vs. Gardner-Webb
Tackles ...............................14 .......Maurice Smith vs. Gardner-Webb
Tackles for Loss ..............2.5 .......Dontrell Baines vs. Gardner-Webb
QB Sacks...........................1.0 .......Dontrell Baines vs. Gardner-Webb
.............................................1.0 .......Charlie Seivers vs. Gardner-Webb
.............................................1.0 .......Dedrick Miley vs. Gardner-Webb
.............................................1.0 .......Charlie Seivers vs. Louisville
.............................................1.0 .......Martini Hilliard vs. Louisville
Interceptions ................ dna
Fumbles forced................. 1 .......Charlie Seivers vs. Lousiville
................................................ 1 .......Taron Ryce vs. Louisville
Fumbles recovered ......... 1 .......Dontrell Baines vs. Louisville
................................................ 1 .......Corey Reed vs. Louisville
Blocked kick....................... 1 .......Travis Adkins vs. Louisville
Team Highs - 2008 season
First Downs ......................21 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Rushes ...............................33 .......vs. Gardner-Webb
Rushing Yards............... 152 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
TD Rushes ........................... 3 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Yards per rush ................6.1 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Pass Attempts .................36 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Completions ....................26 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Passing Yards ................ 259 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
TD Passes ............................ 1 .......vs. Gardner-Webb
................................................ 1 ......vs. Lousiville
Yards per Attempt ........7.2 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Yards per Comp .......... 10.5 .......vs. Gardner-Webb
Plays ...................................64 .......vs. Garnder-Webb
Total Offense ................ 411 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Yards per play.................6.7 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Touchdowns ...................... 3 .......vs. Garnder-Webb
................................................ 3 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Points Scored ..................29 .......vs. Southeast Missouri
Tackles for Loss ..............7.0 .......vs. Garnder-Webb
QB Sacks...........................4.0 .......vs. Garnder-Webb
Interceptions ................ dna
Fumbles caused ............... 2 .......vs. Louisville
Fumbles recovered ......... 2 .......vs. Louisville
Blocked kicks ..................... 1 .......vs. Louisville
Golden Eagle 2008
OVC Players of the Week
Justin Kraemer ...............Special Teams ........Sept. 14
Henry Sailes ....................Offensive .................Sept. 14
2008 Tech Long Scoring Drives
Inside The Red Zone
Minimum distance of 70 yards
Date
8/28
9/6
9/11
9/11
9/11
Opponent
Gardner-Webb
Louisville
Southeast Missouri
Southeast Missouri
Southeast Missouri
Drive Length
Result
15 plays / 80 yards
TD
7 plays / 72 yards
TD
10 plays/70 yards
TD
3 plays/80 yards
TD
12 plays/80 yards
TD
Golden Eagles
Total Possessions in the Red Zone.....................................................................11
Total Scores................................................................................................................... 9
Pct. of scores/red zone..................................................................... 81.8 percent
Touchdowns................................................................................................................. 5
Field Goals..................................................................................................................... 4
Opponents
Total Possessions in the Red Zone.....................................................................15
Total Scores.................................................................................................................11
Pct. of scores/red zone...................................................................... 73.3 percent
Touchdowns................................................................................................................. 7
Field Goals..................................................................................................................... 4
2008 Tech Long Plays
Pass plays of 25+ yards
Date Opponent
8/28 Gardner-Webb
9/6
Lousivlle
Players
Yards
Sweeney-Benford
45
Sweeney-Allen
44
Running plays of 20+ yards
Date Opponent
Player
9/11 Southeast Missouri Derrian Waters
9/11 Southeast Missouri Henry Sailes
Tech’s Record When...
Yards
23/TD
63/TD
Conference Games..........................................................1-0
Non-Conference Games................................................1-1
In night games.................................................................2-0
In day games.....................................................................0-1
In games decided by 7 points or less.......................1-0
In overtime games..........................................................0-0
When Tech has ball first.................................................2-0
When opponent has ball first.....................................0-1
When Tech scores first...................................................2-0
When opponent scores first........................................0-1
When leading after one quarter................................2-0
When trailing after one quarter.................................0-1
When tied after one quarter........................................0-0
When leading at halftime.............................................2-0
When trailing at halftime..............................................0-1
When tied at halftime....................................................0-0
When leading after three quarters............................2-0
When trailing after three quarters............................0-1
When tied after three quarters...................................0-0
When outpassing opponent.......................................1-0
When outpassed..............................................................1-1
When outrushing opponent.......................................2-0
When outrushed..............................................................0-1
When passing for 200+ yards.....................................1-0
When opponent passes for 200+ yards..................1-1
When rushing for 100+ yards......................................1-0
When opponent rushes for 100+ yards...................1-1
When Tech has fewer turnovers.................................1-0
When Tech has more turnovers..................................1-1
When Tech scores 14+ points.....................................2-0
When Tech scores 21+ points.....................................2-0
When Tech allows 14+ points.....................................1-1
When Tech allows 21+ points.....................................1-1
When Tech leads in possession time........................2-0
When opponent leads in possession time.............0-1
When played on natural grass....................................0-0
When played on turf......................................................2-1
When games decided in final 2 minutes................0-0
Notable Performances under Coach Watson Brown
Individual Performances
100-Yard Rushers
u 2008
Henry Sailes vs. Southeast Missouri (9/11) -- 113 yards / 8 attempts
u 2007
Derek White vs. Cumberland (9/6) -- 213 yards / 22 attempts
Derek White vs. Concordia (9/13) -- 194 yards / 23 attempts
Derek White vs. Murray State (9/20) -- 173 yards / 28 attempts
Derek White vs. UT Martin (9/27) -- 115 yards / 23 attempts
Derek White vs. Samford (10/27) -- 105 yards / 22 attempts
300-Yard Passers
u 2007
Lee Sweeney vs. Eastern Illinois (8/30) -- 302 yards / 41 attempts
Lee Sweeney vs. Samford (10/27) -- 367 yards / 35 attempts
20-Tackle Defenders
u 2007
Broderick Jamison vs. Eastern Kentucky (11/17) -- 20 tackles
Team Performances
400-Yard Team Offense
u 2008
Sept. 11 -- 411 yards vs. Southeast Missouri
u 2007
Sept. 6 -- 430 yards vs. Cumberland
Sept. 20 -- 461 yards vs. Murray State
Oct. 27 -- 488 yards vs. Samford
100-Yard Receivers
u 2007
Larry Shipp vs. Samford (10/27) -- 191 yards / catches
Larry Shipp vs. Eastern Kentucky (11/17) -- 164 yards / catches
Tech “D” Holds Opponents to Less Than 300 Yards
u 2008
Aug. 28 -- 280 yards vs. Gardner-Webb
u 2007
Sept. 13 -- 203 yards vs. Concordia College
Sept. 27 -- 269 yards vs. UT Martin
200-Yard All-Purpose Runners
u 2007
Larry Shipp vs. Cumberland (9/6) -- 215 yards / attempts
Henry Sailes vs. Tennessee State (10/7) - 212 yards / 6 attempts
Larry Shipp vs. Samford (10/27) -- 301 yards / attempts
Larry Shipp vs. Eastern Kentucky (11/17) -- 294 yards / attempts
Tech “D” Holds Opponents to Less Than 100 Rushing Yards
u 2008
Aug. 28 -- 45 yards vs. Gardner-Webb
u 2007
Sept. 13 -- 51 yards vs. Concordia College
Sept. 20 -- 66 yards vs. Murray State
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle Football
Two-Deep vs.Western Michigan
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008
OFFENSE
X-Receiver -
9
12
Left Tackle - 61 75
Left Guard - 74
73
Center - 51
55
Right Guard - 70
76
Right Tackle - 78
77
W-Receiver - 1
82
Quarterback - 11
13
A-Back - 27
20
B-Back - 22
24
OR 21
Fullback - 47
30
Z-Receiver 81 4
Tight End 80
DEFENSE
Tim Benford (6-1, 190, Fr.)
Corey Watson (5-10, 175, Fr.-RS
Taylor Askew (6-4, 290, So.) *
Travis Dungee (6-5 280, Fr.)
Scott Eller (6-2, 302, Sr.) ***
Matt Mercy (6-4, 310, Fr.-RS)
Peter Taylor (6-1, 275, Jr.) **
Malcolm Jones (6-5, 305, Fr.)
Derrick Outlaw 6-3, 300, Sr.) *
Brandon Kluener (6-4 290, Fr.)
Scott Schweitzer (6-5, 300, Fr.-RS)
Calvin Smith (6-3, 297, Jr.) **
Antonio Robinson (6-5, 200, So.) *
Josh Paz (6-1, 210, So.) *
Lee Sweeney (6-3, 215, Jr.) **
Josh Lowery (6-2, 190, Jr.-RS)
Henry Sailes (5-7, 175, So.) *
Tremaine Hudson (5-9, 175, Fr.)
Derrian Waters (5-9, 213, Jr.) ***
Cedric Wilkerson (5-7, 195, Jr-TR)
Dontey Gay (5-9, 185, Fr.)
Cole Casidy (5-9, 215, Fr.)
Conner McChurch (5-10, 190, Fr.)
Colin Allen (6-2, 195, So.) *
Mauricio Wallace (5-10, 180, Fr.)
Matt Reynolds (6-5, 265, Fr.)
Bear - Anchor - OR Rock - OR
Ram -
OR Renegade -
Bull - Bandit -
OR
Field Corner - Free Safety - Strong Safety - Boundary Corner - 94 Brendon Fisher (6-2, 245, Jr.) **
83 Travis Adkins (6-5, 255, Fr.)
97 Justin Hilliard (6-3, 275, So.) *
60 Bradley Thompson (5-11, 245, Jr.)**
96 Dedrick Miley (6-1, 275, So.) *
57 Martini Hilliard (6-1, 270, Sr.) ***
60 Bradley Thompson (5-11, 245, Jr.) **
92 J.R. Richmond (6-4, 260, Fr.-RS)
88 Charlie Seivers (6-3, 245, So.) *
95 Brandon Harris (6-4, 235, So.) *
5 Jamere Hogue (6-4, 225, Fr.)
48 Jake Kiser (5-11, 235, Jr.) **
41 Dwight Evans (6-1, 225, Fr.)
40 Corey Reed (6-0, 230, Sr.) *
33 Howard Griffin (6-1, 220, Fr.)
7 Dontrell Baines (5-10, 195, Jr.) **
42 Kedrick Towles (6-2, 215, Fr.)
35 Justin Vann (5-11, 195, Fr.)
28 Richmond Tooley (5-10, 175, Fr.)
26 Taron Ryce (5-11, 180, Jr.) **
3 Maurice Smith (6-3, 195, Sr.) ***
39 Josh Perez (6-0, 195, Fr.)
26 Taron Ryce (5-11, 180, Jr.) **
45 Dustin Dillehay (5-9, 190, So.) *
10 Corbin Miles (5-10, 160, So.) *
2 Alden Olverson (5-10, 175, Fr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker - 37Justin Kraemer (5-7, 170, So.) *
93Nick Campbell (6-2, 225, Fr.)
Punter - 93Nick Campbell (6-2, 225, Fr.)
37Justin Kraemer (5-7, 170, So.) *
Long Snapper 49John Ross Hudson (5-9, 174, Sr.) ***
88 Charlie Seivers (6-3, 245, So.) *
OR 80Matt Reynolds (6-5, 265, Fr.)
Holder - 49John Ross Hudson (5-9, 174, Sr.) ***
45Dustin Dillehay (5-9, 190, So.) *
Returns - 27Henry Sailes (5-7, 175, So.) *
24Cedric Wilkerson (5-7, 195, Jr-TR)
20Tremaine Hudson (5-9, 175, Fr.)
21Dontey Gay (5-9, 185, Fr.)
* denotes letters won at Tennessee Tech
The Automated ScoreBook
Tennessee Tech Game Results (as of Sep 15, 2008)
All games
Date
Aug 28, 2008
Sep 06, 2008
* Sep 11, 2008
Opponent
GARDNER-WEBB
at Louisville
at Southeast Missouri
W
L
W
Score
Overall
Conference
Time
Attend
28-12
10-51
29-27
1-0
1-1
2-1
0-0
0-0
1-0
2:55
3:03
3:37
12228
38694
6110
The Automated ScoreBook
Tennessee Tech Overall Team Statistics (as of Sep 15, 2008)
All games
Team Statistics
SCORING
Points Per Game
FIRST DOWNS
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
RUSHING YARDAGE
Yards gained rushing
Yards lost rushing
Rushing Attempts
Average Per Rush
Average Per Game
TDs Rushing
PASSING YARDAGE
Att-Comp-Int
Average Per Pass
Average Per Catch
Average Per Game
TDs Passing
TOTAL OFFENSE
Total Plays
Average Per Play
Average Per Game
KICK RETURNS: #-Yards
PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards
INT RETURNS: #-Yards
KICK RETURN AVERAGE
PUNT RETURN AVERAGE
INT RETURN AVERAGE
FUMBLES-LOST
PENALTIES-Yards
Average Per Game
PUNTS-Yards
Average Per Punt
Net punt average
TIME OF POSSESSION/Game
3RD-DOWN Conversions
3rd-Down Pct
4TH-DOWN Conversions
4th-Down Pct
SACKS BY-Yards
MISC YARDS
TOUCHDOWNS SCORED
FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS
ON-SIDE KICKS
RED-ZONE SCORES
RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS
PAT-ATTEMPTS
ATTENDANCE
Games/Avg Per Game
Neutral Site Games
Score by Quarters
Tennessee Tech
Opponents
1st
17
13
2nd
28
44
TTU
67
22.3
49
14
28
7
248
316
68
80
3.1
82.7
5
601
100-65-5
6.0
9.2
200.3
2
849
180
4.7
283.0
13-333
5-24
0-0
25.6
4.8
0.0
5-3
24-180
60.0
14-502
35.9
32.4
30:33
12/38
32%
3/3
100%
6-39
0
7
6-7
0-0
9-11 82%
5-11 45%
5-7 71%
12228
1/12228
3rd
3
20
4th
19
13
OT
0
0
Total
67
90
OPP
90
30.0
63
26
32
5
398
481
83
109
3.7
132.7
5
639
103-63-0
6.2
10.1
213.0
4
1037
212
4.9
345.7
14-268
6-49
5-65
19.1
8.2
13.0
4-2
24-214
71.3
9-372
41.3
36.4
29:27
22/45
49%
1/5
20%
2-10
0
11
5-9
0-2
11-15 73%
7-15 47%
9-10 90%
44804
2/22402
0/0
The Automated ScoreBook
Tennessee Tech Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 15, 2008)
All games
Rushing
SAILES, Henry
WATERS, Derrian
WILKERSON, Cedr
HUDSON, Tremain
GAY, Dontey
LOWERY, Josh
SWEENEY, Lee
TEAM
Total
Opponents
Passing
SWEENEY, Lee
LOWERY, Josh
Total
Opponents
Receiving
SAILES, Henry
BENFORD, Tim
ALLEN, Colin
WATERS, Derrian
HUDSON, Tremain
WILKERSON, Cedr
ROBINSON, Anton
WATSON, Corey
GAY, Dontey
WALLACE, Mauric
BARNES, Cass
Total
Opponents
gp
att
3 22
3 21
3 16
3
6
2
2
2
2
3
8
2
3
3 80
3 109
gp
3
2
3
3
gain loss
net avg td
lg avg/g
Punt Returns
152
79
35
29
7
5
9
0
316
481
141
62
26
21
7
5
-2
-12
248
398
63
23
7
16
5
5
1
0
63
29
WILKERSON, Cedr
SAILES, Henry
Total
Opponents
11
17
9
8
0
0
11
12
68
83
effic comp-att-int
108.12 55-87-4
138.62 10-13-1
112.08 65-100-5
126.09 63-103-0
6.4
3.0
1.6
3.5
3.5
2.5
-0.2
-4.0
3.1
3.7
pct
63.2
76.9
65.0
61.2
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
5
5
47.0
20.7
8.7
7.0
3.5
2.5
-0.7
-6.0
82.7
132.7
yds td
lg avg/g
521
80
601
639
45
20
45
35
1
1
2
4
173.7
40.0
200.3
213.0
Interceptions
Total
Opponents
3
2
5
6
no.
0
5
yds avg td
20
4
24
49
6.7
2.0
4.8
8.2
lg
0
0
0
0
16
5
16
15
yds avg td
lg
0 0.0
65 13.0
0
0
0
31
Kick Returns
no.
yds avg td
lg
GAY, Dontey
HUDSON, Tremain
SAILES, Henry
MITCHELL, Caleb
Total
Opponents
5
4
3
1
13
14
140
82
96
15
333
268
0
0
0
0
0
0
63
28
47
15
63
48
no.
yds avg td
lg
gp
no.
yds
avg
td
lg avg/g
Fumble Returns
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
20
17
9
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
65
63
121
209
145
29
25
7
37
10
10
9
-1
601
639
6.1
12.3
16.1
5.8
6.2
2.3
18.5
5.0
10.0
9.0
-1.0
9.2
10.1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
22
45
44
20
20
4
22
6
10
9
0
45
35
BAINES, Dontrel
Total
Opponents
40.3
69.7
48.3
9.7
8.3
2.3
12.3
5.0
5.0
4.5
-0.5
200.3
213.0
no.
1
1
1
28.0
20.5
32.0
15.0
25.6
19.1
9 9.0
9 9.0
19 19.0
0
0
2
9
9
19
The Automated ScoreBook
Tennessee Tech Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 15, 2008)
All games
Scoring
td
fg
kick
PAT
rush rcv pass dxp saf
pts
Total Offense
g plays
rush pass
KRAEMER, Justin
SAILES, Henry
WATERS, Derrian
BENFORD, Tim
HUDSON, Tremain
SWEENEY, Lee
TEAM
Total
Opponents
- 6-7
2 2 1 1 1 - 7 6-7
11 5-9
5-7
5-7
9-10
0-1
23
12
12
6
6
6
2
67
90
SWEENEY, Lee
SAILES, Henry
LOWERY, Josh
WATERS, Derrian
WILKERSON, Cedr
HUDSON, Tremain
GAY, Dontey
TEAM
Total
Opponents
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
-2
141
5
62
26
21
7
-12
248
398
Field Goals
fg
KRAEMER, Justin
6-7
pct. 01-19 20-29
85.7 0-0
1-1
-
-
-
1
1
-
30-39
40-49
50-99
3-4
1-1
1-1
FG Sequence
Tennessee Tech
Opponents
Gardner-Webb
Louisville
Southeast Missouri
(37),(39)
(26),35
(37),(51),(45)
34,(41),(18),34
(19)
52,(33),36,(27)
Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made.
95
22
15
21
16
6
2
3
180
212
total avg/g
521 519
0 141
80
85
0
62
0
26
0
21
0
7
0 -12
601 849
639 1037
173.0
47.0
42.5
20.7
8.7
7.0
3.5
-6.0
283.0
345.7
lg blk
Punting
no. yds avg lg tb fc i20 50+ blk
51
CAMPBELL, Nick
LENNARTZ, Jason
Total
Opponents
11 408 37.1 55
3 94 31.3 40
14 502 35.9 55
9 372 41.3 51
Kickoffs
no. yds avg tb ob retn
KRAEMER, Justin
Total
Opponents
16 838 52.4
16 838 52.4
18 1113 61.8
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
0
2
3
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
net ydln
0
0 19.1 34.4
3 25.6 41.1
30
23
The Automated ScoreBook
Tennessee Tech Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 15, 2008)
All games
All Purpose
g
rush
rcv
pr
kr
SAILES, Henry
BENFORD, Tim
GAY, Dontey
ALLEN, Colin
HUDSON, Trem
WATERS, Derri
WILKERSON, C
ROBINSON, Ant
MITCHELL, Cal
WATSON, Core
WALLACE, Mau
LOWERY, Josh
BARNES, Cass
SWEENEY, Lee
TEAM
Total
Opponents
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
141
0
7
0
21
62
26
0
0
0
0
5
0
-2
-12
248
398
121
209
10
145
25
29
7
37
0
10
9
0
-1
0
0
601
639
4
0
0
0
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
49
96
0
140
0
82
0
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
333
268
ir
total avg/g
0 362 120.7
0 209 69.7
0 157 78.5
0 145 48.3
0 128 42.7
0
91 30.3
0
53 17.7
0
37 12.3
0
15 7.5
0
10 5.0
0
9 4.5
0
5 2.5
0
-1 -0.5
0
-2 -0.7
0 -12 -6.0
0 1206 402.0
65 1419 473.0
The Automated ScoreBook
Tennessee Tech Overall Defensive Statistics (as of Sep 15, 2008)
All games
#
40
3
7
10
48
26
45
88
97
15
94
57
28
60
56
42
33
25
96
95
41
62
2
44
30
87
6
52
49
13
27
83
9
TM
Defensive Leaders
REED, Corey
SMITH, Maurice
BAINES, Dontrel
MILES, Corbin
KISER, Jake
RYCE, Taron
DILLEHAY, Dusti
SEIVERS, Charle
HILLIARD, Justi
MITCHELL, Caleb
FISHER, Brendon
HILLIARD, Marti
TOOLEY, Richmon
THOMPSON, Bradl
HARLAN, Geral
TOWLES, Kedrick
GRIFFIN, Howard
PURDY, Xavier
MILEY, Dedrick
HARRIS, Brandon
EVANS, Dwight
ASKEW, Taylor
OLVERSON, Alden
BATES, Billy
McCHURCH, Conne
HIRE, Alan
FROST, Donald
ORDU, Kelechi
HUDSON, John Ro
LOWERY, Josh
SAILES, Henry
ADKINS, Travis
BENFORD, Tim
TEAM
Total
Opponents
gp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
1
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
2
3
3
Tackles
ua
a
17
14
9
12
9
11
7
7
3
4
4
2
4
3
2
3
4
.
1
2
2
.
2
1
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
125
88
14
13
10
6
9
6
3
3
5
4
3
4
2
2
3
1
.
4
2
1
1
2
.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.
.
107
114
tot
31
27
19
18
18
17
10
10
8
8
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.
232
202
Sacks
tfl/yds
1.5-2
2.5-7
3.5-21
.
0.5-1
.
.
2.0-12
2.0-4
0.5-0
.
1.5-10
.
.
.
.
1.0-1
.
1.0-4
.
.
.
.
.
.
0.5-1
.
.
.
.
.
0.5-3
.
.
17-66
23-71
Pass defense
Fumbles
blkd
no-yds int-yds brup qbh rcv-yds
.
.
1.0-10
.
.
.
.
2.0-12
.
.
.
1.5-10
.
.
.
.
.
.
1.0-4
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
0.5-3
.
.
6-39
2-10
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5-65
1
4
.
4
.
5
.
.
.
1
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
.
.
18
11
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1-0
.
1-9
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2-9
3-19
ff
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
4
kick
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
.
1
.